BLM Approves EA for West Antelope II South Coal Lease Modification

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Plains District Office (HPDO) announces the availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decision Record (DR) for Antelope II South Coal Lease Modification. The Antelope Mine is located approximately 20 miles south/southeast of the city of Wright, Wyo.

Antelope Coal, LLC has applied to modify an existing lease (WYW-177903) in order to avoid a potential bypass of an estimated 15,751,000 tons of minable federal coal within an 856.61 acre tract in Converse County.

The project area was previously analyzed in the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the West Antelope II Coal Lease Application WYW-163340 (December 2008). This EA was prepared for the proposed action, and is tiered to the West Antelope II FEIS.

The BLM is responsible for the balanced use of the public lands and resources in a manner that best serves the long-term needs of current and future generations. Therefore, the BLM takes the necessary steps to ensure that federal coal lease modification applications are analyzed in accordance with Federal regulations (43 CFR 3432.2). These regulations provide for lease modifications when: 1) the modification serves the interests of the United States; (2) there is no competitive interest in the lands or deposits; and (3) the additional lands or deposits cannot be developed as part of another potential or existing independent operation.

The BLM has made the determination that the above criteria apply to this application. The BLM will receive fair market value from Antelope Coal, LLC for the lands added to the lease by the proposed modification.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.